Bath Rugby fall to 25-18 defeat to Exeter at Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs25vBath Rugby18

Exeter Chiefs secured victory in the second round of the Premiership Rugby Cup at Sandy Park, despite a late comeback from Bath Rugby.

Bath were first to apply points to the scoresheet. Following a clever break from the Blue, Black and White and some fantastic offloading, play was brought to just 5m out. Alex Davies attempted to dink a kick through to Chiefs defence but it came to nothing. Play came back for the penalty advantage, Davies looked to the sticks and gave Bath an early three point lead. [0-3]

The Chiefs asserted their scrum dominance early on, and it proved pivotal to their first score. The hosts found themselves camped down in the Bath red zone with a scrum advantage. Exeter bided their time and picked up a penalty advantage from the scrum, and they made use of the opportunity. The ball was distributed out to Harvey Skinner who threw a clinical pass wide to James Short who powered over in the corner after 15 minutes. Joe Simmonds failed to add the extras. [5-3]

The home side got over again on the 32 minute mark. Jack Maunder made the initial break, bringing play to just five metres out. Tom Lawday received the ball from the breakdown and did well to draw in the defenders before sending Ollie Devoto through on a neat line to score the hosts second try of the game. Simmonds made no mistake this time with the conversion. [12-3]

Bath responded with 38 minutes on the clock, fly-half Alex Davies put his side into the corner, following a breakdown penalty. Bath's rolling maul set up well and the pack surged forwards. The maul was brought down illegally and the Blue,Black and White went again. The maul remained dominant, this time Ross batty was able to bundle his way over for his third try in two games. [12-8]

HALF TIME | EXETER CHIEFS 12 - 8 BATH RUGBY

Exeter started the second half well, with a scrum 30 metres out. Bath were penalised at the set piece and Simmonds had an opportunity to go for three, the full-back pointed to the sticks and slotted the kick increasing the home sides lead to seven points after 47 minutes. [15-8]

Exeter extended their lead five minutes later. A smart set piece move from the scrum saw the ball sent out to Devoto, who was able to find Tom O’Flaherty outside him on the right wing. The winger crashed over for the Chiefs third try of the game. The wind worked it’s magic with the conversion and Simmonds’ kick somehow sailed through the uprights. [22-8]

Bath needed a response and it came just three minutes later. Jamie Roberts instigated the move, crashing through the Chiefs defence before finding Josh Bayliss in support. Play was brought up to just five metres out. The ball was spread wide by Atkins to Jack Wilson, who touched down in the corner with an exceptional finish narrowing the gap to nine points. [22-13]

Bath struck again, five minutes from time, after a huge amount of pressure from the visitors. The Blue, Black and White made use of an attacking scrum just five metres out. Fotuali’i sent the ball out to Atkins, looping around the full-back before receiving the ball again. Fotuali'i on his 50th appearance sent Wilson clear on the left flank with an incredible pass, the winger ran in to score his second try of the game. Atkins attempted a quick drop goal which sailed wide. [22-18]

The killer blow came from the restart with Exeter regathering the ball and picking up a penalty from directly in front of the sticks. Harvey Skinner landed the three points with just three minutes to go. [25-18]